The most popular podcast format out there, true crime podcasts are aplenty, and all are downright interesting. From everybody to comedians, true crime fans, journalists, and professional detectives covering the genre, true crime shows have exploded the podcasting medium.
Look no further if you’re true crime obsessed and looking for the best true podcasts to leave you chilled and intrigued. We’ve got the best true crime podcasts still on the air and those featuring limited episodes and seasons.
Read on to find the best true crime podcasts in 2023.
Best Ongoing True Crime Podcasts
My Favorite Murder
A staple of the true-crime podcast genre, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, fans of true crime stories, host this long-running show. Each week, the hosts share their favorite murder tales and hear stories from friends and fans of the show. Always entertaining and never boring, it’s no wonder this show has been going on for over 600 episodes and has been promoted as one of the best true crime podcasts.
Crime Junkie
For anyone who can’t get enough of true crime, Crime Junkie is here to feed your obsession. Each episode covers a different true crime story hosted by Ashley Flowers, who is constantly obsessing about the true crime genre.
Southern Fried True Crime
For a true crime podcast with a southern-US twist, host Erica Kelley explores the historical and contemporary true crime in the American South. There’s plenty to explore and mysteries to solve.
Dateline NBC
For fans of the TV series Dateline, current and classic episodes have been uploaded to a podcast format for your listening pleasure. With compelling, suspicious mysteries, the team at NBC News has some hard-hitting investigations attempting to solve these true crime cases.
And That’s Why We Drink
Hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz grab a bottle of wine and talk about true crime and the paranormal. Each week on And That’s Why We Drink, they discuss ghost stories, chilling true crime mysteries, and the intersection of the two.
Criminal
Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network, Criminal is about people who have done wrong, been wrong, or are on the fence. Host Phoebe Judge covers a wide range of topics and tells a different story about someone involved in a true crime each week.
Anatomy of Murder
Often, a murder case is highly complex and layered. Anatomy of Murder covers the layers of a murder: the victim, the crime, and the investigation. Hosts Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger dissect each layer and offer an insider’s perspective on the murder.
Best Limited Series True Crime Podcasts
Limited series podcasts often focus on one story across multiple episodes, going deeper into detail on a particular crime and what may have happened.
Most of these podcasts have stopped producing episodes and make for the perfect binge-listen if you want to learn about a true crime event and all the nitty-gritty details.
Serial
A true-crime podcast classic; if you haven’t listened to Serial yet, now is the time. NPR’s Sarah Koenig hosts Serial, trying to piece together a crime. Season one discusses the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee and suspect Adnan Syed; season two the Taliban capture of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl; and season three the operation of the American criminal justice system.
We aren’t sure if there will be a season four of Serial – it all depends on Sarah Koenig’s curiosity for the next true crime to uncover.
The Dropout
The Dropout tells the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her failed company, Theranos. Claimed to be the next Steve Jobs, Holmes covered up the fact that her invention did not work to millions of people and her investors. In a multi-year investigation, hosts Rebecca Jarvis, Taylor Dunn, and Victoria Thompson hear from people related to Theranos and Holmes to understand how her ambition and fame went wrong. This podcast has also been adapted as a limited series for Hulu and met with critical acclaim.
Dr. Death
Also adapted for the small screen, host Laura Beil tells the story of Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon who claimed he was the best in Dallas. After his patients experienced complications post-surgery, the series examines the American healthcare system and those wronged by it.
Crimetown
With around 50 episodes, each season of Crimetown covers the crime culture in a different city. Hosts Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier help tell the stories of different cities and the underbelly of crime running through them and reflect on issues at the heart of American identity.
Dirty John
This 13-episode series is hosted by L.A. Times journalist Christopher Goffard and covers the meeting of Debra Newell, a successful interior designer, and John Meehan, a handsome conman. This tale of deception, love, denial, and survival is as fascinating as it is chilling.
West Cork
Hailed “a masterpiece” by The New Yorker, West Cork tells the story of the 1996 murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier. She was found dead near her holiday home without witnesses or known motive. Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey report on the victim, the town, and what may have happened.
Who Killed Daphne?
This limited series investigates the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb on the island of Malta. Hosted by reporter Stephen Grey, this intense story uncovers the consequences of her murder and how an international team of journalists continues her work.
Bad Bad Thing
Jennair Gerardot suspects her husband is having an affair with his boss and begins to secretly record the two of them, as well as recordings of herself. What follows is a plan for vengeance; you’ll have to listen to find out more. Featuring real-life recordings from Jennair and with insight from clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula, this is a cautionary tale that will leave you chilled.
Conclusion
We’ve covered our picks for the best true crime podcasts out there. These are some of the classics, with some interesting ones as well. There are hundreds of shows to go through, and the best depends on who’s telling the story.
With plenty of true crime stories to dig into, put on some headphones, sit back, and listen. There are hours of content and mysteries to solve!